We’ve all heard it before – “I’ll start my diet tomorrow” or “I’ll hit the gym from next Monday.” Postponement seems to be the go-to response when it comes to making significant changes in our lives. But what if I told you that you could make that change today? Yes, you heard right. You can start to shift your habits, creating new, healthier ones and getting rid of those that no longer serve you, starting today!
Our habits govern our lives more than we realize. They impact our health, productivity, happiness, and ultimately our destiny. In essence, to alter the trajectory of our lives, we must learn to form new habits and dispel the old ones. But how do we accomplish that? By making our habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying.
Crafting New Habits
Let’s consider an example: you want to start working out for 15 minutes per day, five days a week. Here’s how you can make this new habit stick:
Make it Obvious
Visibility prompts action. Place your workout clothes and shoes in a prominent spot where you can’t miss them. The sight of your workout gear first thing in the morning will serve as a clear cue to get started.
Make it Attractive
The more appealing the habit, the more likely you are to stick with it. Choose a workout that you enjoy. Complement it with something you love, like listening to your favorite podcast while walking or watching a gripping Netflix series while cycling on a stationary bike.
Make it Easy
Simplicity breeds consistency. Instead of setting overwhelming goals, break it down into bite-sized tasks that feel easy to complete. Remember, the aim here is to be consistent, and simplicity fosters consistency.
Make it Satisfying
Revel in the feeling of accomplishment! Mark off your workout days on a calendar, track them on a fitness app, or complete the circle on your Apple Watch. Visible and tangible rewards will motivate you to keep going.
Breaking Unhealthy Habits
Now, what about those pesky habits that don’t support your healthy goals? Let’s use the example of eating a whole bag of chips while cooking dinner. Here’s how you can kick it:
Make it Invisible
Out of sight, out of mind! Hide the chips in a cupboard you rarely open. The decreased visibility reduces the likelihood of you reaching for them.
Make it Unattractive
Buy a brand or flavor of chips that you don’t like. Altering the allure can significantly decrease your consumption.
Make it Difficult
Consider not buying chips at all. The inconvenience of having to drive to the store just to get more chips will make you reconsider your choice.
Make it Unsatisfying
Create a mental image of those chips with something unappealing on top of them. This mental trick can decrease the satisfaction derived from eating chips and deter you from indulging.
The Power of Small Steps
Remember, the secret lies in consistency. Each small step is a triumph and contributes to creating a new habit loop in your brain, fostering feelings of accomplishment and encouraging continuity.
Self-awareness is a vital tool in this transformation journey. As you become more conscious of your choices, you’ll start to notice shifts in your habits, making way for the change you want to see.
Ready to Embrace Change?
The power to change your habits and consequently, your life, lies within you right now. Embrace it, and make an intentional choice for one small change today.
Identify one habit you want to cultivate and one you want to break. Apply the principles of making it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying to the habit you want to create, and make the habit you want to break invisible, unattractive, difficult, and unsatisfying.
Take a moment to visualize how these changes will impact your daily routine and contribute to your broader goals. Then, make a plan to implement these strategies starting today. Be sure to track your progress, celebrate your successes, and make adjustments as needed. Remember, the journey of transforming habits is a process and it’s perfectly okay to have ups and downs along the way. The key is to stay consistent and keep moving forward.
Remember, you have the power to change your habits, and thereby your life, starting right now. So, let’s get started!